Goes to show that a media blitz and a cool
web site are not the key to being the first to make it around the world in a hot air
balloon. Richard Brandson, eat your heart out ;-) You will find a spartan site with
sluggish response times. Learn about the projects organization and how Bertrand
Picard and Brian Jones got ready for the trip. In addition you can post messages and
participate in a contest allowing you to win a flight license. The most interesting
feature is called the Backweb channel and it allows you to receive late breaking news from
the flight crew using push technology.

A very professional looking site that lets
you live the experience of Richard Brandsons last Round the World attempt. The site
contains an interview with Richard, pictures and video from inside the balloon and a
transcript of all the chats with the crew. The best part is a java applet that lets you
track the balloons progress by picking it up with the mouse and placing it at a
point in the itinerary. Information is displayed about the height, pressure and speed as
well as key events that happened at that time. Use this feature to plan your next trip and
avoid Richards mistakes.

Another excellent site which
allows you to vicariously experience the attempt of Andy Elson and Colin Prescot to
circumnavigate the globe. The site contains a flight log, route map and a media center.
You can find information about the challenge, the balloon, the team and in flight Internet
chats that were organized during the trip. The best feature is the "For Kids"
section describing what a hot air balloon is made of, inventors of hot air balloons and
how to become a balloonist. You will also enjoy the Mission control web cam with regularly
updated pictures.

This site was created based on a one hour
television documentary on the subject of the Around the World Challenge.
Sections include the mission , the teams and technical information about
the balloons. The technical drawings of the balloons are probably the best part of the
site. The teams covered are limited to Richard Brandsons Virgin Challenger, the
Spirit of Peace and Team RE/MAX.

Dedicated to ballooning enthusiasts,
Ballooning International is focused on building a community of amateurs of the sport to
promote events and activities around the world. Sections include a gallery of pictures,
articles about ballooning, a calendar of events and activities and a list of other
resources on the web. The best feature of the site is the "Cool Tool" which
features animated slide shows of beautiful balloon pictures. Other features will come
soon.

Discover the pleasures of ballooning while
flying over Californias wine country. The trip over Napa valley is the best part of
the site taking you through pre-dawn preparation and lift off. You will also find some
educational material about the history of ballooning and how a balloon is put together.
The Balloon Zone photo gallery contains many breathtaking pictures.

The official site of the BFA containing news
update and announcements as well as information on competitions and national rankings.
After all, ballooning is a sport as well as a hobby. The site lists scheduled safety
seminars and regional gatherings which are the best opportunity to get educational
materials. The most unique feature of the site is a program for Jr. Balloonists, age 7-17,
who have their parents as mentors.

Gives a short history of the
sport starting with Henry Cavendishs discovery of inflatable air hydrogen.
Another sections explain the experiments of the Mongolfier brothers who are
widely accredited with creating the first hot air balloon out of paper made in their paper
factory. You will read about their first attempts with sending animals up, up and away as
well as the first manned flights over Paris. The nicest part of the site is the original
drawings of the Mongolfiers contraption.

If who thought those Bristol University chaps
were full of hot air, you were right. This site sections on a glossary of ballooning
terms, a short history of ballooning and 10 things you didnt know about ballooning.
For instance, did you know that the temperature inside of a balloon is hot enough to boil
water? More tea, sir